However, his improvement has been great and I'd really like to share some of the training techniques I'm using with him and track how he progresses. So this will basically be a dog training blog with articles and videos and step-by-step instructions, but the posts will be directly related to my current foster dog's training.
Tom:
Tom is my first doggy boot camp victim.
2-3 yr old, 50 lb neutered American Pit Bull Terrier/American Staffordshire Terrier possibly mixed with American Bulldog or boxer/who knows.
Entered Staten Island ACC as a stray
Received a "mild" on his behavioral evaluation due to jumpiness and excitability.
When Tom got here, he was housebroken, and clearly had been in a home situation/somewhat trained before.
Then we went to take a walk.
He pulled. A LOT. He made excited wookie noise, lunged, and spun around when he saw another dog. He tried to jump on anyone who looked at him or showed any sign of being interested in petting him. He pulled.
He was also completely unable/unwilling to focus on me or listen to commands when outdoors.
In 3 weeks, he now walks politely by my side, can pass another dog from across the street with little to no reaction. He passes almost everyone without attempting to jump, walks pasts shovels/brooms with no reaction, and sits with a reminder when someone wants to pet him. He focuses on me when asked (without other dogs around) for an extended period of time, follows commands, and looks up at me periodically while walking.
I'm currently walking him on a halti, which really made walking him easier on my arms while he learned to walk on a loose leash. Even though I think he'd be able to walk politely on a regular collar now, I use the halti because I have more control as far as turning him away from things that over-stimulate him.
Books containing methods I've used:
Click to Calm by Emma Parsons
I also tried something I've never used before, called "premacking" (based of behaviorist David Premack's Principle)
Andddd another picture of Tom because he's cute:
Tom's petfinder bio:
Tom is a typical pittie who LOVES people and loves affection. He's very goofy and makes me (his foster mom) laugh all the time. He is quiet and well behaved in the apartment, content to lie at my feet or in his crate until I offer to play, when he will bring me a stuffed toy and play tug or pounce on it. He also likes to play fetch in the park. He knows basic commands, is housebroken, and doesn't bark inside the apartment. He is quickly learning to politely greet guests without jumping and is learning his leash manners.
Tom tested positively with other dogs at ACC but would most likely get along best with another large dog. He would be an excellent family dog for someone with children or a good "beginner" dog for someone with a yard. If he goes to an apartment home he will need someone to continue to reinforce his leash manners.
If you're looking for a dog with all the playfulness and spirit of a puppy without the housebreaking, chewing, barking, and hyperactivity, Tom would be the perfect dog for you.
To adopt Tom, go to www.louieslegacy.org/adopt
